Rear axle noise

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usnick1982

usnick1982

10 Year
Joined
Sep 9, 2013
Threads
17
Messages
175
Location
Seattle WA
F sport 33k miles new ratcheting noise on turning from stop with moderate acceleration. Changed diff oils with 75-90 valvoline sun power synthetic (with limited slip additive) and transfer with toyota transfer oil 75 LF. All changes at 30k. I think noise is from left rear. Previous used mobile 1 75-90 (LS addictive included) on lc200 never had problems. Not sure what to think if it's oil related. Has anyone used valvoline in 300 series differentials?
 
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Dealer found fluid to be overfilled with some sparkles... i think I refilled it tobthe edge 3k ago but now it's warmed up and probably overflowing because of that. Surprised to see sparkles. May be valvoline sucks. When I drained factory fluid it was a bit pink link atf.

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Oakleyguy said:
What I'm seeing in the FSM:

View attachment 4148404
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Okay I filled it to 0mm and let it sit few minutes to let drip from the fill but didn't drive to warm up and open the fill again. I have done diff oils the same way on lc200 and no problems at 240k. I also wonder if lx has more torque and need some extra LS additive given red hue of factory fill. I will be switching to mobile 1 and reassess
 
I'm not sure what the difference between the LT and LX fluid is, but likely the LSD additive like you mentioned.
 
Oakleyguy said:
I'm not sure what the difference between the LT and LX fluid is, but likely the LSD additive like you mentioned.
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Yes, I have f sport and it has a sticker on diff "lsd only". I wonder if anybody else on ih8mud have f sport and changed oil in rear diff?
 
Update
After dealer "adjusted" rear diff oil level, I drove home and noticed the same chatter, so the oil level wasn't the issue. Next day, when cold I opened the fill plug and couldnt reach the level with my smallest finger so it was definetely >5mm below fill opening.
Drained Valvoline and filled with Mobil 1 75-90 with LS. Drove some figure 8s and chatter was very faint and 90% better then with valvoline. Then I added 4oz Lubeguard LS additive (very commonly used for that reason as per tacomaworld) and chatter was mostly gone. I will drive some more and may be drop another 4oz if not exactly smooth as before. It appears that Valvoline has less LS additive or less potent one compared to Mobil and mobil is more expensive.
 
usnick1982 said:
View attachment 4148289factory fluid. Why is it like atf?
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usnick1982 said:
Dealer found fluid to be overfilled with some sparkles... i think I refilled it tobthe edge 3k ago but now it's warmed up and probably overflowing because of that. Surprised to see sparkles. May be valvoline sucks. When I drained factory fluid it was a bit pink link atf.

View attachment 4148288
Click to expand...
There were some tundra post with very dark metallic looking fluid in the rear diffs after minimal milage. Will be changing out all my fluids and will report back.
 
I think you should use the factory rear diff fluid in the fsport. Per my research it seems like less potential trouble.
 
Joe T said:
I think you should use the factory rear diff fluid in the fsport. Per my research it seems like less potential trouble.
Click to expand...
I would need 6x77 close to 500 just in oil!!!. Lexus dealership charges 350 for rear diff oil change. We'll thats the downside of f sport! Who knew? I think I figured it out with extra lube guard.

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Update:
Lx lsd is quite sensitive to oil. Probably should just go with toyota unicorn oil. Valvoline was the worst. Mobil with with 2 bottles of lubequard still noisy. Drained mobil again after 500miles and put it lc200 rear as it was at 30k and due. Oil still looked great at 500miles but lx was so picky. Ordered redline and put it in lx now noise only at hard acceleration figure 8 uphill. I will give it some more time and maybe just buy oem toyota oil and recycle redline in lc200
 
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